August 2013 Declared as Philippine Wushu Month!

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As a practitioner of wushu in the Philippines for almost eight years now, I was elated when I read my shifu’s update on Facebook. Here goes the excerpt:

Proclamation No. 554, s. 2013
MALACAÑANG PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 554

DECLARING THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2013 AS “PHILIPPINE WUSHU MONTH”

I suppose this event is going to be a big opportunity for the country to boost tourism yet again, as players and members of wushu organizations from 38 countries will be flocking on August 8-12, 2013 at our very own Makati Coliseum for the 2013 edition of the Asian Wushu Championships.

It was in good fate that Philippines was chosen to host the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Asian Games. With this, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richie Garcia will have to make sure to support the staging of the event. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. expects that all Philippine agencies, departments, state universities and colleges and private and public companies will also join in to acknowledge Philippine Wushu Month and support the Asian Junior Wushu Championships.

Wushu right now may not be an official category in the World Olympic Games, but it sure still showcases a lot of potential to be known as a sports that engages both martial arts enthusiasts, athletes and fitness fans around the globe. In fact, it has already been noted as one of the Philippines’ 10 priority sports in the government!

There are only five months leading to the Asian Centennial Games. I bet all participants have undergone strict training in efforts to prepare for the fight and strive for perfection.

Through the Wushu Federation Philippines, I deem that the culmination of the Philippine Wushu Month will be remembered as a completely successful centennial celebration of the Asian Games. 😀

On other news, the 2013 World Games will be held in Colombia in July 2013; the Asian Youth Games, in China in August 2013; the 12th World Wushu Championships in Malaysia in October 2013; and the 2013 Southeast Asian Games, in Myanmar in December 2013.

Comments

39 responses to “August 2013 Declared as Philippine Wushu Month!”

March 13, 2013

Wanderer Juan

Just curious what tao lu (form if I’m not mistaken) did you perform? I was trained to perform nan quan LONG ago haha

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Me…I have performed many forms haha. Many of which are traditional styles of mantis wushu and some are hungar forms–bare-fisted and with weapons.
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

Pal Raine

I would like to enroll my two girls here. WUSHU, I think this is a good exercise and self defense too.

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  There are a number of wushu orgs in the Philippines. You can contact me if you really want your girls to pursue it and I can recommend the best ones that are accessible from your location and convenient for your schedule.
  
  Reply
  1. July 17, 2013
    
    Maria Grasheila Dayawon
    
    Hi! What is the ideal age for a kid to learn Wushu? My son is interested, but he is only 6, turning 7 this August…Are there Wushu orgs in or near Mandaluyong? Thanks!
    
    Reply
    1. July 17, 2013
      
      Rochkirstin Santos
      
      Hello Mommy Maria! Ideal age is about that – 6 to teenage years. Learning wushu early would be good. Not only will your kid learn self defense and art but also learn how to be more disciplined, resilient and social. 😀 Sorry but I’m not familiar to places in Mandaluyong. 🙁
      
      Reply
      1. July 19, 2013
        
        Maria Grasheila Dayawon
        
        Thanks Roch! How about in areas near Mandaluyong like Makati, San Juan, Sta. Mesa, and Pasig? or maybe even QC?
      2. July 20, 2013
        
        Rochkirstin Santos
        
        I know one in QC: Wushu Discovery Philippines. 🙂 Address is Mindanao Avenue corner Road 3, Project 6, Quezon City. You can contact them through these numbers: (02) 454-3017, (02) 480-1508, 0918-9093275 and 0922-8700299 or send an email to wushudiscovery@gmail.com or wushudiscovery@yahoo.com. You’re welcome!
March 13, 2013

ana karen

funny thing, just over dinner the conversation was all about sports in the Philippines, SEA Games, Olympics, way back into the time it was held in the Philippines. Good to here it will be happening in the Philippines on it’s 100th year!

Would really be very interested in this stuff for mu kids. 🙂 i know even girls would love too 🙂

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yup, it’s the honor and pleasure of Philippines to host the event this year. 🙂
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

special education philippines

Wow 8 years in Wushu huh! That’s amazing. I admire your dedication and commitment to your discipline. Are you considering of teaching Wushu also?

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Teaching wushu as a full-timer is not possible haha I’m not that dedicated. Because of my work schedule, I only attend trainings once a week now. But during my younger years, I had to train three times in a week and assist other students to enhance their forms. 😀
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

earl pablo

Is Wushu for women only? My daughter perhaps likes this. Kinda combo of exercise and defense. I think August has less tourists coming in that’s why they make it that one. Whatever the reasons, it boosts tourism and a great opportunity for aspirants in this field.

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Nope, there are men and women who practice wushu. Our group has mostly men. 🙂 Wushu has two types: modern and contemporary, so you should ask your daughter which one she prefers. Any martial arts is a combination of exercise and self-defense. What makes wushu unique is that it has forms that exemplify arts with aesthetic and natural movements derived from animals. Also, unlike other martial arts, wushu includes different techniques like punching, kicking, jumping, catching, throwing, ground-based and air-based techniques.
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

Pa Ul

This seems to be a fun and exciting to watch. I’ve seen one before but that was since I was a child and forgot about it. Perhaps seeing it again will be fun.

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yup! I’m not bias on this one just because I’m into wushu but I can really say that wushu routines are best seen onstage compared to all other martials arts. 😛
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

Franc Ramon

Wushu has been bringing us gold in sports event so they do deserve to have their month.

Reply
1. August 5, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  I wonder if this will continue on to the next succeeding years. I hope the youth can more appreciate this type of activity and be enrolled to classes (if they’re not in school) rather than focus their efforts roaming around the streets and doing nothing but beg for money.
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

Gigi Beleno

wushu is a form of martial arts, right? well, its just good that our government takes time to recognized events such as this one to promote this type of sports.

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yes, it is. 🙂
  
  Just like what Franc said, wushu just deserves to land a priority spot in the Philippines because it has brought several gold medals to the country.
  
  Reply
  1. May 10, 2013
    
    red dumuk
    
    Please accept our sincerest gratitude for helping promote wushu through your blogs. we hope you will write more in the run up to the August 8-12 Asian Junior Wushu Championship.
    
    We hope to see you in the Championships and personally thank you if we can’t meet earlier.
    
    By the way, you will one of the first to know Bea Binene will be the wushu ambassador.
    
    all the best!
    
    red dumuk
    deputy secretary general
    wushu federation philippines
    
    Reply
    1. May 10, 2013
      
      Rochkirstin Santos
      
      Thanks for dropping by, Red. 🙂 You’re welcome. And yup, I’ll be writing more about wushu as events happen.
      
      Reply
March 13, 2013

Zion

yey! A fellow martial arts enthusiast! Although, di ako marunong sa Wushu kasi I can’t seem to find anyone here in Bohol who teaches that, I do love anything that has to do with Martial Arts!

I am an Arnisador ( an amateur) and iba talaga yung dedication at hardwork na igugugol mo sa martial arts. Need mo talaga ng discipline!

Reply
1. August 5, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yes, in any sports naman, discipline is required. But wushu is both an art and a sport so I guess it takes a lot to master. 😀
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

jane

i should wait for that wushu this october 2013 then! let see if and let me know if where about they’re going to hold the event. it would be a nice event to watch and wait for .xx

Reply
1. August 5, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yah lah according to Phil Star, “The Department of Tourism through its Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has thrown its support behind the seventh Asian Junior Wushu Championship set at the Makati Coliseum Aug. 8-11.” 😀 Very SOON!
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

ralph

galing naman, you’re into wushu discipline. we had been getting golds in wushu events, right? are you competing? good luck to all pinoys. Yahweh bless.

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yes, we are! I’m not competing this time hehe thanks, Ralph. 😉
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

Mrs. Kolca

This is what I am planning to do after giving birth and having enough rest. I wanna enroll in a martial arts class for self-defense and fitness na din. Hmmm.. I wonder if I can do wushu. Hehe.

Reply
1. March 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  I suggest you to take lighter exercises like yoga training, brisk walking and stretching. Wushu might be too advanced for women who have just given birth. 😀
  
  Reply
March 13, 2013

14amanda

Hmm.. another form of chinese martial art? I used to dream about learning karate when I was young because I was a bit of tomboy before and also a form of self defense for me, but never did. I was
contented with watching jackie Chan and Jet Lee’s movies instead. But for young people it is indeed a great sport even for women. Thanks for the info!

Reply
1. August 5, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Haha though I have a feminine side, I am really into combat and martial arts while growing up. The moves also enhances my creativity especially when it comes to knowing how to apply the forms to real-life scenarios.
  
  Reply
March 14, 2013

Teresa Martinez

I really would like to have my son learn this but he doesn’t like contact sports. Maybe my young girl will be interested.

Reply
1. March 14, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Wushu is not necessarily a contact sports. Routines can be performed individually, in pairs or in groups; and bare-handed or with weapons.
  
  Reply
March 15, 2013

papaleng

Great that concern agencies are now recognizing the great feats Wushu have brought to our country. Kapag may SEA and Asian games, pinanonood ko ang Wushu as well as other martial art disciplines.

Reply
August 13, 2013

zhazha

hi. im from antipolo… my 8yrs old daughter wants to try wushu.. can u suggest a good training center? shes also into aikido right now….

Reply
1. August 13, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Hi zhazha. Too bad Antipolo is far from our place. The best I can suggest is of course our team. 😛 Hehe anyway, you can try Wushu Discovery based on proximity. Address is Mindanao Ave cor. Road 3, Project 6, Quezon City. Contact number: +632-4543017
  
  Reply
October 3, 2013

Rangel

Just curious where I can buy wushu equipments/tools in manila?

Reply
1. October 4, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Hi Rangel. Sorry, I don’t have an idea where to buy them in Manila. We usually buy equipment in Taiwan. I also saw swords and stuff in Chinatown, Singapore when I was there, but prices are all expensive. 😯
  
  Reply